azareth:  a  Morality  in 
One  Act :  by  Laurence 
Housman 


Samuel  French:  Publisher 

28-30  West  Thirty-eighth  Street:  New  York 

LONDON 

Samuel  French,  Ltd. 

26  SOUTHAMPTON  STREET,  STRAND 

PRICE  TWENTY-FIVE  CENTS 


Nazareth:  a  Morality  in 
One  Act:  by  Laurence 
Housman 


Samuel  French:  Publisher 

28  -30  West  Thirty-eighth  Street :  New  York 

LONDON 

Samuel  French,  Ltd. 

26  SOUTHAMPTON  STREET,  STBAND 


Copyright,  1916 

By  LAURENCE  HOUSMAN 


CAUTION.— Amateurs  and  Professionals  are  hereby  warned  that 
"  NAZARETH,"  being  fully  protected  under  the  copyright  laws 
of  the  United  States,  is  subject  to  royalty,  and  any  one  presenting  the 
play  without  the  consent  of  the  author  or  his  authorized  agent,  will 
be  liable  to  the  penalties  by  law  provided.  Application  for  the  right 
to  produce  "  NAZARETH "  must  be  made  to  Samuel  French, 
28-30  West  38th  Street,  New  York  City. 

ALL  RIGHTS  RESERVED. 


NAZARETH. 


PROLOGUE. 

Since  Love  first  looked  on  life  with  human  eyes, 
Twixt  him  and  us  time  like  a  curtain  lies. 
Of  all  the  years  while  He  made  life  His  own 
With  dear  familiar  touch — how  little's  known! 
The  gospels  of  His  Birth,  the  tale  make  plain 
Then  two  years  till  He  died  and  rose  again, 
Naught  else  remains  to  us  of  all,  save  when 
He,  at  Jerusalem,  with  learned  men 
Was  by  His  parents  found,  and  taken  thence 
Back  to  far  Nazareth.    And  by  no  sense 
Of  mortal  mind  from  where  they  now  lie  hid 
Can  we  recover  the  fair  things  He  did, 
Growing  to  man's  estate,  that  He  might  die 
For  man's  salvation  ;  hidden  there  they  lie, 
The  days  which  mounted  up  to  Calvary. 

Yet  here  on  earth  that  lovely  deed  was  done ; 
Love  in  man's  form  took  life  from  wind  and  sun, 
Waked,  slept,  ate  bread,  and  toiled,  and  without 

speed, 

Patient,  made  test  of  each  frail  weak  human  need ; 
Found  means  on  small  frail  feet  men's  ways  to  go ; 
From  mother  tongue  was  taught  man's  speech  to 

know ; 

So,  for  man's  making,  childhood,  boyhood,  youth, 
Each  he  endowed  in  turn  with  deathless  truth, 
Himself  the  type  and  pattern  for  each  stage 
Of  human  growth.    Oh !  in  what  future  age 
Shall  we  who,  seeking  that  lost  Pattern,  roam, 
Find  it  again,  and  to  that  form  come  home? 

3 


359300 


4  NAZARETH. 

Ah,  friends !  this  simple  showing  that  ye  see 

Of  Love  at  Nazareth,  this  is  not  He ! 

'Tis  but  a  thought,  a  fathering  wish,  a  prayer 

That  with  hearts  knit  we  may  come  closelier  there, 

Where  He  lived  lowly.    Lo,  He  by  your  side 

Lies  hidden,  a  waiting  guest,  still  multiplied 

By   man's   still   growing   needs, — with    such    intent 

He  made  humanity  His  Sacrament ; 

The  flesh  and  blood,  which  here  we  beat  and  bruise, 

Is  Christ's.    Ah,  put  it  to  some  better  use ! 

Be  members  all  with  all !     Hear  what  Love  saith, 

And  make  your  home  with  Him  at  Nazareth ! 


NAZARETH 


SCENE: — The  Carpenter's  shop  is  a  low,  broad 
chamber  built  of  wood.  At  the  back  to  the 
left-center  a  wide  open  doorway  reveals  a  level 
stretch  of  landscape.  It  is  late  afternoon,  but 
the  air  is  still  pale  ^v^th  the  heat  of  day. 
To  the  right  of  the  door  is  a  small  square 
windozv  with  wooden  shutters  thrown  wide;  be- 
fore it  stands  a  carpenter's  bench  upon  which 
lies  a  wooden  door  frame  nearly  finished.  The 
carpenter  and  his  assistant  are  quietly  at  work 
planing,  and  boring  holes  for  the  fitting  in  of  the 
rivets;  beneath  them  the  floor  is  strewn  with 
shavings,  saw-dust,  and  odds  and  ends  of  wood. 
Away  to  the  left,  near  a  spinning  wheel,  sits  an 
aged  woman  combing  flax.  Against  the  wall 
to  the  same  side  of  the  doorway  sits  MARY,  the 
carpenter's  wife,  with  a  book  upon  her  knees; 
on  the  other  side  her  son  stands  against  the 
door-post,  with  his  back  to  the  interior,  looking 
out  into  the  sunshine. 

After  the  scene  has  opened  the  carpenter  raises 
himself  from  a  stooping  position,  and  hands 
over  to  REUBEN,  his  assistant,  a  beam  of  tvood, 
which  the  latter  lays  aside. 

CARPENTER.  'Twill  soon  be  done.  Nay,  we'll  not 
need  that  now.  Yes,  speak  on.  If  you  read  slowly 
enough,  I  can  give  heed. 

MARY.  (Reading)  .  "Because  his  visage  was  so 
marred,  many  did  marvel  at  him  then,  for  more 

5 


6  NAZARETH. 

than  most  his  form  was  scarred,  yea,  more  than  all 
the  sons  of  men.  Yet  him  shall  all  the  nations  hear, 
and  kings  shall  shut  their  mouths  for  fear." 

CARPENTER.  (To  REUBEN)  Be  careful,  now  the 
cross-beam's  laid. 

OLD  ANNA.    What  cause  have  kings  to  be  afraid? 

MARY.  (Reading)  "  Who  hath  believed  our  re- 
port? To  whom  is  the  Lord's  arm  revealed?  He 
shall  grow  up  in  tender  sort,  and  as  a  root  from  a 
dry  field,  having  no  form  nor  comeliness,  that  men 
who  see  should  scorn  him  less." 

CARPENTER.  Hold  it  fast,  now !  Nay,  don't  let 
go. 

MARY. — 

"  He  is  rejected  and  despised, 
A  man  of  sorrows,  grief  his  lot, 
He  came  to  us  unrecognized, 
Despising,  we  esteemed  him  not. 
Surely  our  sorrows  he  hath  borne, 
And  for  our  sins  hath  felt  the  rod, 

Wherefore  he  seemed  a  shape  for  scorn 

One  smitten  by  the  hand  of  God. 

But  he  was  wounded  for  our  sins, 

For  our  iniquities  was  scourged, 

By  chastisement  our  peace  he  wins, 

And  with  his  stripes  mankind  is  purged. 

All  we  like  sheep  have  gone  astray, 

Turned  everyone  to  his  own  way. 

And  upon  him  the  Lord  doth  lay 

The  iniquity  of  all." 

(OLD  ANNA  touches  her  daughter,  and  points  toward 
the  child.) 

MARY.     (After  a  pause,  watching  him) 
My  son,  what  yonder  dost  thou  see, 
That  holds  thy  gaze  so  steadfastly  ? 
Come  hither,  child,  and  tell  it  me. 

CHILD. — 


NAZARETH.  7 

I  see  the  land  all  parched  and  dry, 
And  sheep,  without  a  shepherd  nigh, 
And  surely  some  look  like  to  die. 

ANNA.     I  see  no  sheep. 

MARY. — 
Nay,  dearest  one. 

Thine  eyes  are  dazzled  by  the  sun ; 
See,  in  the  field  thy  playmates  run, 
Wilt  thou  not  join  them  ? 

CHILD. — 
Mother,  nay ! 
I  will  not  go  with  them  to-day. 

ANNA.    He  never  was  a  child  for  play, 

CHILD.    Mother,  what  were  you  reading  then? 

MARY. — 

Isaiah's  prophecy  how  men 
Shall  still  be  blind  when  God  again 
Comes  to  save  Zion  and  redeem 
His  chosen  ones. 

CHILD.    Was  it  a  dream  ? 
Or  did  he  see  ?    How  did  he  know  ? 

MARY.    He  heard  God's  word,  and  told  men  so, 

CHILD.    And  was  that  many  years  ago? 

MARY.    Seven  hundred  years. 

CHILD. — 
But  having  here 

His  word  to  guide  them,  do  men  fear 
They  will  not  see  Salvation  near? 

ANNA.     Aye !  many  fear  it.     I  for  one. 

CARPENTER.     There,  that's  right!     Now,  'tis  al- 
most done. 

(The  child  turns  towards  the  carpenter's  bench.) 

MARY.    Thou  will  not  miss  that  sight,  my  son, 

CARPENTER. — 

Come,  litle  son,  and  hold  the  wood ! 
Brace  hard  the  end,  while  I  make  good 
The  upright.    See  how  crooked  it  stood ! 


8  NAZARETH. 

CHILD.     What  art  thou  making,  father? 

CARPENTER. — 
Nay, 

See  for  thyself,  my  child,  what  way 
One  grows  to  wisdom  day  by  day. 
It  is  a  door. 

(REUBEN  goes  and  takes  a  cup,  dips  it  in  a  boivl  of 
water  near  the  door  and  drinks.) 

CHILD.    Whose  door  ? 

CARPENTER. 
Why,  mine, 
Till  I'm  paid  for  it ! 

CHILD.    How  came  it  thine? 

CARPENTER.    I  made  it. 

CHILD.    How  ? 

CARPENTER. — 
Well,  first  I  bought 
The  timber ;  after  that  I  wrought, 
Rough  hewed  and  shaped  it,  leaving  nought 
To  chance — so  that  all  parts  agree 
When  joined  together.    Dost  thou  see? 
Art  satisfied  ? 

CHILD.     (After  a  pause)    Who  made  the  tree? 

CARPENTER.    (After  a  pause)    God  made  the  tree, 
my  son. 

CHILD. — 
And  through 

Long  years  it  put  forth  leaf,  and  grew 
In  beauty  till  man  came  and  slew. 

(He  caresses  the  wood,  laying  his  face  upon  it) 

CARPENTER.    Strange  fancies  still! 

CHILD. — 
And  so  the  tree 
Died,  and  gave  up  its  life  to  be 
A  door  through  which  man  passes  free, 


NAZARETH.  9 

To  work  God's  will. 

CARPENTER. — 
Come,  come,  you  waste 
Your  father's  time,  my  son!     Make  haste, 
Reuben — we've  got  the  lintel  placed ; 
Bring  me  the  nails. 

REUBEN.      (As  he   brings   the  nails  and  drives 
them  in.    Sings) 
Oh,  what  is  yon  tree  that  stands  so  high 

And  stretches  its  arms  in  sorrow? 
"  Oh,  that  is  the  gallows  where  I  must  die, 

Where  I  must  die  to-morrow." 

Oh,  what  hast  thou  done,  my  only  son, 

That  thou  shouldst  die  to-morrow? 
"  My  life  I  lend  to  a  well-loved  friend 

Who  health  of  me  would  borrow." 

If  so  thou  lend  to  a  well-loved  friend, 

How  heavy  must  be  his  sorrow ! 
"  Ah,  say  not  so,  for  well  I  know 

I  hang  by  his  hand  to-morrow." 

(  The  child  has  taken  the  bag  of  nails  from  REUBEN, 
and  hands  them  to  him,  one  by  one,  as  he  drives 
them  in.  One  of  the  nails  pierces  the  child's 
palm.  He  bows  his  head  over  it.) 

CARPENTER. — 

Why,  there,  there,  there !    You've  done  it  now ! 
Reuben,  'twas  your  fault  to  allow 
A  little  child  like  him  to  play 
With  anything  so  sharp  as  they ! 

(MARY  comes  forward  and  kneels  by  the  child's  side. 
She  takes  his  hand  and  tries  to  staunch  the 
blood) 

Has  it  gone  far? 


io  NAZARETH. 

MARY. — 

The  wound  is  deep. 
Stay,  I  will  bind  it !    See  you  keep 
Your  hand  up,  child.    Quick,  mother,  bring 
Yon  water  fresh-drawn  from  the  spring 
To  wash  it  clean,  for  there  was  rust. 

(ANNA  brings  the  zvater  bowl,  while  REUBEN  draws 
forward  a  low  bench  at  one  end  of  which  she 
sets  it  down) 

Maybe,  upon  the  iron,  or  dust 
To  cause  a  festering  in  the  wound. 

(MARY  bathes  his  hand  and  binds  it.     The  child 
closes  his  eyes  and  sinks  against  her  breast.) 

ANNA. — 

Oh !    See,  he  has  already  swooned 
For  loss  of  blood. 

MARY. — 

Nay,  nay,  'tis  sleep ! 
Aye !  saw  you  not  how  at  the  leap 
Of  first  sharp  pain  his  face  lit  up, 
And  how  he  bowed  as  to  a  cup 
His  lips,  and  drained  it  to  the  lees  ? 
So  to  this  spirit  now  comes  ease 
And  rest ;  for  surely  here  he  tastes 
Of  that  dark  vintage  of  the  wastes 
Whereto,  for  mortal  need,  he  hastes. 

CARPENTER.    Strange  words ! 

MARY. — 

But  stranger  than  all  words 
The  peace  which  holds  him  now  and  herds 
My  lamb's  life  with  the  blessed  dead. 

(She  moves  to  lay  him  along  the  bench.     ANNA 
spreads  a  cloak  across  it) 


NAZARETH.  li 

Lift  off  the  bowl,  and  let  his  head 
Rest  so,  even  so. 
CARPENTER. — 
There !    Let  him  He 
Quiet  awhile.    Ah !  he  won't  die 
Of  that! 

(He  lays  his  hand  kindly  upon  his  wife,  then  turns 
away.    Evening  has  begun  to  close  in) 

Now,  Reuben,  you  and  I 

Must  stir  while  daylight  yet  allows ! 

This  door  is  for  the  High-Priest's  house, 

And  should  already  be  in  its  place 

For  now  Passover  comes  apace ; 

And  last  night  they  sent  word  to  say 

'Twas  to  be  up  before  the  day, 

So  that  the  lintel  beam  might  bear 

The  blood-marks  for  the  coming  year. 

MARY.     Look!     There  are  stains  already  there! 

CARPENTER.    I'll  wash  them  off! 

MARY. — 

Nay,  let  them  stay ! 
This  blood,  I  trow,  was  shed  to-day 
To  take  some  mortal's  guilt  away. 

(The  two  men  have  lifted  the  door  and  set  it  to 
stand  against  the  middle  post  of  the  doorway 
where  it  makes  the  form  of  three  crosses  stand- 
ing together.) 

CARPENTER. — 

Soon  through  this  door  the  holy  feet 
Of  Caiaphas  in  service  met 
Shall  pass  each  day  to  do  God's  will. 

MARY. — 

And,  what  he  hath  ordained,  fulfill. 
And  some  day  they  shall  bring  a  Lamb 
And  slay,  and  lo,  upon  the  jamb 


12  NAZARETH. 

And  lintel  of  this  self-same  door, 
Where  blessed  blood  has  been  before, 
More  blessed  blood  shall  then  be  spilt 
To  take  from  Caiaphas  his  guilt. 

(The  men  having  put  away  their  tools  lift  the  door 
and  carry  it  away.) 

ANNA.  (Reading)  "  He  was  taken  from  prison 
and  from  judgment,  and  who  shall  declare  his  gen- 
eration ?  For  he  was  cut  off  out  of  the  land  of  the 
living,  for  the  transgression  of  my  people  was  he 
smitten.  And  he  made  his  grave  with  the  wicked, 
and  with  the  rich  in  his  death ;  because  he  had  done 
no  violence,  neither  was  any  deceit  in  his  mouth." 

(Voices  of  water-carriers  heard  without.) 

IST  ANTIPHON.  The  bows  of  the  mighty  men 
are  broken. 

2ND  ANTIPHON.  And  they  that  stumbled  are 
girded  with  strength. 

IST  ANTIPHON.  They  that  were  full  have  hired 
themselves  for  bread. 

2ND  ANTIPHON.  And  they  that  were  hungry  have 
ceased. 

(The  women  pass  by.) 

IST  ANTIPHON.  So  that  the  barren  hath  born 
seven. 

2ND  ANTIPHON.  And  she  that  hath  many  children 
is  waxed  feeble. 

IST  ANTIPHON. — 
The  Lord  killeth,  and  maketh  alive. 
He  bringeth  down  to  the  grave  and  bringeth  up. 

2ND  ANTIPHON.  The  Lord  maketh  poor  and 
maketh  rich.  He  bringeth  low  and  lifteth  up. 

MARY.    It  is  the  women  going  to  the  well. 


NAZARETH.  13 

ANNA.    What  are  they  singing? 

MARY. — 

Of  the  joy  that  fell. 
To  Anna  for  her  first-born,  Samuel. 

ANNA.     And  thy  joy  also! 

MARY.     And  the  pain  as  well! 

IST  ANTIPHON.     He  raiseth  the  poor  out  of  the 
dust. 

2ND.  ANTIPHON.    And  lifteth  up  the  beggar  from 
the  dunghill. 

IST  ANTIPHON.    To  set  them  among  the  princes. 

2ND  ANTIPHON.     And  to  make  them  inherit  the 
throne  of  glory. 

IST  ANTIPHON.     He  will  keep  the  feet  of  his 
saints. 

2ND  ANTIPHON.    And  the  wicked  shall  be  silent 
in  darkness. 

IST  ANTIPHON.     For  by  strength  shall  no  man 
prevail. 

2ND  ANTIPHON.     The  adversaries  of  the  Lord 
shall  be  broken  in  pieces. 

(The  voices  pass  away.    It  begins  to  grow  dark.) 

ANNA.     (Sings  as  she  winds  her  flax) 
Little  child,  lo,  I  spin 
Flax  to  clothe  thy  body  in ; 
Little  child,  do  not  grieve 
Out  of  this  a  cloth  I'll  weave, 

Make  of  it  a  little  shirt, 

What  man  shall  do  thee  hurt? 
So  while  it  lasts,  wear  it  still, 
What  man  shall  wish  thee  ill  ? 
Do  not  from  thy  body  strip 
This ;  'tis  human  fellowship. 


(She  lays  the  cloth  over  the  child) 
MARY. — 


14  NAZARETH. 

When  thou  to  death  art  bowed 
This  web  shall  be  thy  shroud. 
So  in  fellowship  with  all 
Thy  soul  shall  meet  God's  call, 
Oh,  then,  may  my  soul,  too, 
Wake  and  see  the  darkness  through 
And  my  ears,  no  longer  bound, 
List,  to  the  heavenly  sound ! 

(A  pause.  ANNA  lights  a  small  lamp.  As  she  goes 
to  place  it  in  the  window  she  stops.  Its  light 
falls  on  the  sleeping  child) 

MARY. — 

See,  from  his  face  has  passed  the  pain. 
And  every  sense  of  heart  and  brain 
Is  gathered  unto  rest  again. 
O  son,  O  child,  while  round  thy  sleep 
The  peace  of  God  lies  folded  deep, 
Thou  can'st  not  hear  thy  mother  weep. 
Oh,  me,  the  anguish  and  the  dread 
Of  that  dark  hour  which  lies  ahead 
When  I  shall  see  thee  lying  dead. 
Clay,  cold,  and  all  my  cares  undone ! 
O  perfect,  pure,  and  stainless  one, 
My  son,  my  own,  my  little  son. 

(A  sound  of  sheep  passing  is  heard.  A  shepherd 
stops  at  the  door,  and  looks  in.  He  draws  off 
his  hat.) 

SHEPHERD.     God's  peace  be  in  this  house.     (He 
goes  on  his  way) 

ANNA.    Again ! 

MARY.    Who  spoke  ? 

ANNA. — 

The  shepherd  from  the  plain, 
The  stranger,  so  last  night  he  came 
And  stayed  to  greet  us  in  God's  name, 


NAZARETH.  15 

Then  went. 
MARY. — 

And  there  were  others,  too, 
Who  also  stayed. 

(A  stranger  passess  the  door.) 

STRANGER.    Peace  be  with  you! 

MARY.     God  give  you  peace.      (She  rises  and 
turns) 

ANNA.    Nay,  he  is  gone. 

MARY. — 

Oh,  strange !    And  more  will  come  anon, 
And  each  one  turning  from  his  way, 
Wilt  halt  here  at  the  door  to  say 
Some  word,  or  show  by  look  or  sign 
That  here  peace  dwells! 

(Enter  an  old  man.) 

OLD  MAN. — 
Yes,  peace  is  thine! 
I  would,  I  would  to  God,  such  peace  were  mine. 

(Enter  a  little  child,  led  by  its  mother.  The  little 
one  kneels  beside  the  bench  where  the  other 
child  is  laid.) 

LITTLE  CHILD. — 
Gentle  Jesus,  meek  and  mild, 
Look  upon  a  little  child, 
Pity  my  simplicity, 
And  suffer  me  to  come  to  thee ! 

(The  mother  lifts  the  little  one  from  its  knees  and 
carries  it  away.) 

OLD  MAN.     (Weeping,  he  stands  in  the  child's 
place) 
I'm  an  old  sinner,  oft  have  I  gone  the  road 


16  NAZARETH. 

Of  mine  own  will,  so  now  I  bear  the  load ; 
And  in  my  body  grief  has  come  to  pass ! 
Surely,  the  preacher  saith,  all  flesh  is  grass, 
And  goodliness  the  flower  of  the  field. 
Lo,  the  wind  passeth,  and  its  day  is  o'er, 
And  in  his  place  man's  name  is  known  no  more. 
God  give  us  peace. 

(He  kneels.  While  he  speaks  others  have  entered. 
The  scene  has  grown  dark.  One  of  the  men 
carries  a  lantern} 

IST    MAN.      The    grass    withereth,    the    flower 
fadeth,  but  the  word  of  our  God  shall  stand  forever. 
2ND  MAN.    Son  of  God,  shine  on  us ! 

(All  kneel.) 

3RD  MAN.    Lamb  of  God,  look  on  us ! 

4TH  MAN.    Shepherd  of  men,  set  thy  sign  on  us ! 

5TH  MAN.    And  lay  thy  yoke  on  us ! 

IST  MAN.    And  we  will  be  thankful. 

(The  moon  rises.    Outside  the  door,  others  are  seen 
kneeling:  men,  women  and  children.) 

ALL.  Hail,  Mary,  full  of  Grace,  the  Lord  is  with 
thee !  Blessed  art  thou  among  women,  and  blessed 
is  the  fruit  of  thy  womb :  Jesus.  Holy  Mary,  Mother 
of  God,  pray  for  us  sinners  now,  and  at  the  hour  of 
our  death.  Amen. 

(One  by  one  the  men  rise  and  go  out.  The  crowd 
outside  also  disappears.  ANNA  goes  and  closes 
the  doors,  and  the  shutter  of  the  window.  The 
house  is  flooded  with  moonlight.  MARY  kneels 
at  the  head  of  the  sleeping  child.  Voices  are 
heard  singing.) 


17  NAZARETH. 

VOICES. — 

Ave  Maria,  gratia  plena,  Dominus  tecum ! 
Benedicta  tu  in  mulieribus,  et  Benedictus 
Fructus  ventris  tui,  Jesus ! 


CURTAIN. 


THE   WORLD'S  BEST  PLAYS 

By    Celebrated    European    Authors 


A  NEW  SERIES  OF  AMATEUR  PLAYS  BY  THE  BEST 
AUTHORS,   ANCIENT   AND   MODERN,   ESPECIALLY 
TRANSLATED  WITH  HISTORICAL  NOTES,  SUG- 
GESTIONS   FOR  STAGING,   Etc.,   FOR  THE 
USE    OF    SCHOOLS,    COLLEGES,    AND 
DRAMATIC  CLUBS 

BARRETT  H.   CLARK 

General    Editor 


ITH  the  immensely  increased  demand  for  new 
plays  for  purposes  of  production  by  amateurs 
comes  a  correspondingly  great  demand  for  a  care- 
ful selection  of  those  plays  which  can  ba  easily 
and  well  presented  by  clubs  and  colleges.  The 
plays  in  the  present  series  have  been  chosen  with 
regard  to  their  intrinsic  value  as  drama  and  liter- 
ature, and  at  the  same  time  to  their  adaptability  to  the  needs  and 
limitations  of  such  organizations. 

The  Series,  under  the  personal  supervision  of  Mr.  Barrett  H 
Clark,  instructor  in  the  department  of   Dramatic  Literature    at 
Qh&utauaua-  New  York,  assistant  stage  manager  and  actor  with 
Mrs.  Fiske (season  1912-1913),  now  comprises  44  titles,  more  willmake 
their  appearance  during  the  year.    Eventually  there  will  be  plays  from 
ancient  Greece  and  Rome,  Italy,  Spain,  Prance,  Russia,  Germany,  ard 
he  Scandinavian  countries,  representative  of  some  of  the  best  drama 
of  all  ages  and  lands. 

Each  Play  is  prefaced  by  a  concise  historical  note  by  Mr,  Clark  and 
With  a  few  suggestions  for  staging. 


Plays    Now    Ready 

INDIAN  SUMMER,  a  comedy  in  one  act  by  MEILHAO  and 
HALEVY.  This  little  play,  by  two  of  the  most  famous  writers  of 
comedy  of  the  last  century,  has  been  played  at  the  Come'die  Fran- 
caise  at  Paris  for  upwards  of  forty  years,  and  remains  one  of  the 
brightest  and  most  popular  works  of  the  period.  PRICES  25  CENTS. 

ROSALIE,  by  MAX  MAUREY.  A  "  Grand  Guigrnol "  comedy  In 
one  act,  full  of  verve  and  clever  dialogue.  Rosalie,  the  stubborn  maid, 
leads  her  none  too  amiable  master  and  mistress  into  uncomfortable 
complications  by  refusing  to  open  the  front  door  to  a  supposed  guest 
of  wealth  and  influence.  PRICE  25  CENTS. 

MODESTY,  by  PAUL  HERVIEU.  A  delightful  trifle  by  one  of  the 
most  celebrated  of  living  dramatists.  PRICE  25  CENTS. 

THE  ART  OF  BEING  BORED,  (Le  Monde  ou  Von  a'Ennuie),  a 
comedy  in  three  acts  by  EDOUARD  PAILLERON.  Probably  the  best- 
known  and  most  frequently  acted  comedy  of  manners  in  the  realm 
of  nineteenth  century  French  drama.  It  is  replete  with  wit  and 
comic  situations.  For  nearly  forty  years  it  has  held  the  stage, 
while  countless  imitators  have  endeavored  to  reproduce  its  fresh- 
ness and  charm.  PRICE  25  CENTS. 

A  MARRIAGE  PROPOSAL,  by  ANTON  TCHEKHOFP,  a  comedy 
in  one  act,  by  one  of  the  greatest  of  modern  Russian  writers.  This 
little  farce  is  very  popular  in  Russia,  and  satirizes  the  peasants  of 
that  country  in  an  amusing  manner.  PRICE  25  CENTS. 

THE  GREEN  COAT,  by  ALFRED  DE  MUSSET  and  EMILE  AUGIER. 
A  slight  and  comic  character  sketch  of  the  life  of  Bohemian  artists 
In  Paris,  written  by  one  of  France's  greatest  poets  and  one  of  her 
best-known  dramatists.  PRICE  25  CENTS. 

THE  "WAGER,  by  GIUSEPPE  GIACOSA.  This  one  act  poetic 
comedy,  written  by  the  most  celebrated  dramatist  of  modern  Italy, 
was  the  author's  first  work.  It  treats  of  a  wager  made  by  a  proud 
young  page,  who  risks  his  life  on  the  outcome  of  a  game  of  chess. 
PRICE  25  CENTS. 


TUB  LITTLE  SHEPHERDESS,  a  poetic  comedy  in  one  act, 
by  ANDRE  RIVOIRE.  A  charming  pastoral  sketch  by  a  well-known 
French  poet  and  dramatist.  Played  with  success  at  the  Come"die 
Francaise.  PRICE  25  CENTS. 

PHORMIO,  a  Latin  comedy  by  TERENCE.  An  up-to-date  version 
of  the  famous  comedy.  One  of  the  masterpieces  of  Latin  drama; 
the  story  of  a  father  who  returns  to  find  that  his  son  has  married 
a  slave  girl.  Phormio,  the  parasite-villain  who  causes  the  numerous 
comic  complications,  succeeds  in  unraveling  the  difficulties,  and 
all  ends  happily.  PRICE  25  GENTS. 

THE  TWINS,  a  Latin  farce  by  PLAUTUS,  upon  which  Shake- 
speare founded  his  Comedy  of  Errors.  PRICE  25  CENTS. 

THE  BOOR,  by  ANTON  TCHEKOFY.  A  well-known  farce  by  the 
celebrated  Russian  master;  it  is  concerned  with  Russian  peasants, 
and  portrays  with  masterly  skill  the  comic  side  of  country  life. 
PRICE  25  CENTS. 

THE  BLACK  PEARL,  by  VIOTORIEN  SARDOIT.  One  of  Sardou's 
most  famous  comedies  of  intrigue.  A  house  has,  it  is  thought, 
been  robbed.  But  through  skilful  investigation  it  is  found  that  the 
havoc  wrought  has  been  done  by  lightning.  PRICE  25  CENTS. 

CHARMING   LEANDRE,   by  THEODORE  DE  BANVILLE.    The 

author  of  "  Gringoire  "  is  here  seen  in  a  poetic  vein,  yet  the  French- 
man's innate  sense  of  humor  recalls*  in  this  satirical  little  play,  the 
genius  of  Moliere.  PRICE  25  CENTS. 

THE  POST-SCRIPTUM,  by  Emus  AUGIEB.  Of  this  one-act 
comedy  Processor  Brander  Matthews  writes:  "  .  .  .  one 
of  the  brightest  and  moat  brilliant  little  one-act  comedies  in  any 
language*  and  to  be  warmly  recommended  to  American  readers." 
PRICE  25  CENTS. 

THE  HOUSE   OF  FOURCHAMBAULT,  by  EMILE  AUGIER. 

One  of  the  greatest  of  recent  French  family  dramas.  Although  the 
play  is  serious  in  tone,  it  contains  touches  which  entitle  it  to  a 
position  among  the  best  comedies  of  manners  of  the  times.  PRICE 
SO  CENTS. 


MASTER  PATELIN,  SOLICITOR,  a  comedy  in  three  acts.  Special  version 
by  BRUEYS.  One  of  the  most  famous  of  early  French  farces.  The  setting 
and  character  belong  to  the  late  Middle  Ages.  The  play  is  concerned  with 
the  crooked  dealings  of  a  clever  lawyer.  7  men,  2  women.  PRICE  25  CENTS. 

CRISPIN,  HIS  MASTER'S  RIVAL,  a  comedy  in  one  act  by  LE  SAGE.  A 
famous  comedy  by  the  author  of  "Gil  Bias,"  concerned  with  the  pranks  of 
two  clever  valets.  i8th  century  costumes  and  settings.  4  men,  3  women. 
PRICE  25  CENTS. 

THE  LEGACY,  a  comedy  in  one  act  by  MARIVAUX.  A  delicate  high  comedy 
of  intrigue.  Marivaux  one  of  the  masters  of  old  French  comedy,  and  this 
play  is  full  of  deft  touches  of  characterization.  2  women,  4  men.  PRICE 
25  -CENTS. 

AFTER  THE  HONEYMOON,  a  farce  in  one  act  by  WOLFGANG  GYALUI. 
A  Hungarian  farce  full  of  brilliant  dialog  and  movement,  i  man,  i  woman. 
PRICE  25  CENTS. 

A  CHRISTMAS  TALE,  a  poetic  play  by  MAURICE  BOUCHOR.  A  beautiful 
little  miracle  play  of  love  and  devotion,  laid  in  isth  century  Paris.  2  men, 
2  women.  PRICE  25  CENTS. 

CRAINQUEBILLE,  a  play  in  three  scenes  by  ANATOLE  FRANCE.  A  delight- 
ful series  of  pictures  of  Parisian  street  life,  by  the  author  of  "The  Man  Who 
Married  a  Dumb  Wife."  12  men,  6  women.  PRICE  25  CENTS. 

JEAN-MARIE,  a  poetic  play  in  one  act  by  ANDRE  THEURIET.  A  pathetic 
play  of  Norman  peasant  life.  2  men,  i  woman.  PRICE  25  CENTS. 

THE  REBOUND,  a  comedy  in  one  act  by  L.  B.  PICARD.  A  clever  comedy 
of  intrigue,  and  a  satire  of  social  position.  2  women,  5  men.  PRICE  25  CENTS. 

THE  DOCTOR  IN  SPITE  OF  HIMSELF,  by  MowERE.  A  famous  farce 
by  the  greatest  of  French  dramatists.  Sganarelle  has  to  be  beaten  before  he 
will  acknowledge  that  he  is  a  doctor,  which  he  is  not.  He  then  works  apparent- 
ly miraculous  cures.  The  play  is  a  sharp  satire  on  the  medical  profession  in 
the  1 7th  Century.  PRICE  25  CENTS. 

BRIGNOL  AND  HIS  DAUGHTER,  by  CAPUS.  The  first  comedy  in  English 
of  the  most  sprightly  and  satirical  of  present-day  French  dramatists.  PRICE 
50  CENTS. 

CHOOSING  A  CAREER,  by  G.  A.  DE  CAILLAVET.  Written  by  one  of  the 
authors  of  "Love  Watches."  A  farce  of  mistaken  identity,  full  of  humorous 
situations  and  bright  lines.  PRICE  25  CENTS. 

FRENCH  WITHOUT  A  MASTER,  by  TRISTAN  BERNARD.  A  clever  farce 
by  one  of  the  most  successful  of  French  dramatists.  It  is  concerned  with  the 
difficulties  of  a  bogus-interpreter  who  does  not  know  a  word  of  French.  PRICE 
25  CENTS. 

PATER  NOSTER,  a  poetic  play  in  one  act,  by  FRANCOIS  COPPBE.  A  pathetic 
incident  of  the  time  of  the  Paris  Commune,  in  1871.  PRICE  25  CENTS. 

THE  ROMANCERS,  a  comedy  in  three  acts,  by  EDMOND  ROSTAND.  New 
translation  of  this  celebrated  and  charming  little  romantic  play  by  the  famous 
author  of  "Cyrano  de  Bergerac"  and  "Chantecler."  PRICE  25  CENTS. 

THE  MERCHANT  GENTLEMAN  (Le  Bourgeois  Gentil-homme) ,  by 
MouERE.  New  translation  of  one  of  Moliere's  comic  masterpieces,  a  play 
which  is  peculiarly  well  adapted  to  amateur  production.  PRICE  50  CENTS. 


-THE  HOUSE  OF  FOURCHAMBAULT,  by  EMTUS  AUGIER.  One  of  the 
greatest  of  recent  French  family  dramas.  Although  the  play  is  serious  in 
tone,  it  contains  touches  which  entitle  it  to  a  position  among  the  best  come- 
dies of  manners  of  the  times.  PRICE  50  CENTS. 

PANURGE'S  SHEEP,  a  comedy  in  one  Act  by  MEILHAC  and  HALEVY.  A 
famous  and  often-acted  little  play  based  upon  the  obstinacy  of  a  charming 
woman,  who  is  finally  induced  to  marry,  i  man,  2  women.  PRICE  25  CENTS. 

THE  LAW-SUIT,  (Der  Prozess) ,  a  comedy  in  one  act  by  RODERICK  BENEDIX. 
A  famous  comedy  by  the  well-known  German-dramatist — author  of  "The 
Obstinate  Family,"  and  "The  Third  Man."  The  play  is  full  of  amusing 
situations  and  bright  lines.  5  men.  PRICE  25  CENTS. 

THE  THIRD  MAN  (Der  Dritte),  a  comedy  in  one  act  by  RODERICK  BENEDIX. 
A  highly  amusing  little  comedy  based  upon  the  obstinacy  of  human  beings, 
and  proves  the  truth  of  the  saying  that  "love  finds  a  way."  3  women,  i  man. 
PRICE  25  CENTS. 

THE  GENTLEMAN  TRADESMAN  (Le  Bourgeois  Gentile-homme),  a 
comedy  in  four  acts  by  MouERE.  One  of  the  best-known  comedies  of  the 
celebrated  master  of  comedy.  "The  Gentleman  Tradesman"  ridicules  the 
affectations  of  M.  Jourdain,  a  rich  parvenu.  9  men,  5  women.  PRICE 
50  CENTS. 

THE  SICILIAN  (Le  Sicilien),  a  farce  in  two  scenes  by  MouERE.  One  of 
the  lighter  comedies  of  intrigue.  This  play  is  laid  in  Sicily,  and  has  to  do 
with  the  capture  of  a  beautiful  Greek  slave  from  her  selfish  and  tyrannical 
master.  4  men,  3  women.  PRICE  25  CENTS. 

DOCTOR  LOVE  (I/ Amour  Medecine),  a  farce  in  three  acts  by  MouERE. 
An  uproarious  farce,  satirizing  the  medical  profession.  Through  it  runs  the 
story  of  a  young  girl  who  pretends  to  be  ill  in  order  that  she  may  marry  the 
man  she  loves.  5  men,  4  women.  PRICE  25  CENTS. 

THE  AFFECTED  YOUNG  LADIES  (Les  Precieuses  Ridicules),  a  comedy 
in  one  act  by  MouERE.  The  famous  satire  on  intellectual  and  social  affecta- 
tion. Like  most  of  Moliere's  plays,  the  theme  in  this  is  ever  modern.  3 
women,  6  men.  PRICE  25  CENTS. 

I'M  GOING!  A  comedy  in  one  act  by  TRISTAN  BERNARD.  A  delightful 
bit  of  comedy  of  obstinacy  and  reconciliation,  i  man,  i  woman.  PRICE 
25  CENTS. 

THE  FAIRY  (La  Fee),  a  romantic  comedy  in  one  act  by  PCTAVE  FEun,i,ET. 
Laid  in  a  hut  in  Normandy,  this  little  comedy  is  full  of  poetic  charm  and  quiet 
humor.  The  element  of  the  supernatural  is  introduced  in  order  to  drive 
home  a  strong  lesson,  i  woman,  3  men.  PRICE  25  CENTS. 

THE  VILLAGE  (Le  Village),  a  comedy  in  one  act  by  OCTAVT?  FEUILWST. 
The  author  here  paints  the  picture  of  an  elderly  couple,  and  shows  that  they 
have  not  realized  their  happiness  until  it  is  on  the  point  of  being  taken  from 
them.  2  women,  2  men.  PRICE  25  CENTS. 

THE  BENEFICENT  BEAR,  a  comedy  in  three  acts,  by  GOUX>NI.  One  of 
the  best-known  comedies  of  the  Father  of  Italian  Comedy.  A  costume  piece 
laid  in  i8th  century  France,  the  principal  character  in  which  is  a  good-hearted, 
though  gruff,  old  uncle.  4  men,  3  women.  PRICE  25  CENTS. 

GRAMMAR  (La  Grammaire),  a  farce  in  one  act  by  LABICHE.  An  amusing 
and  charming  comedy  by  one  of  the  greatest  of  i9th  century  French  drama- 
tists. 4  men,  i  woman.  PRICE  25  CENTS. 

THE  TWO  COWARDS  (Les  Deux  Timides),  a  comedy  in  one  act  by  LABICHB. 
A  very  amusing  and  human  little  comedy,  in  which  a  strong-willed  girl  helps 
her  father  choose  for  her  the  man  she  wishes  to  marry.  2  women,  3  men. 
PRICE  25  CENTS. 


THE  DOCTOR  IN  SPITE  OF  HIMSELF,  by  MOUEBE.  A 
famous  farce  by  the  greatest  of  French  dramatists.  Sganarelle  has 
to  be  beaten  before  he  will  acknowledge  that  he  is  a  doctor,  which 
he  is  not.  He  then  works  apparently  miraculous  cures.  The  play 
is  a  sharp  satire  on  the  medical  profession  in  the  17th  Century 
PRIBE  25  CENTS. 

BRIGNOL,  AND  HIS  DAUGHTER,  by  CAPUS.  The  first- 
comedy  in  English  of  the  most  sprightly  and  satirical  of  present- 
day  French  dramatists.  PBIOH  50  CENTS. 

CHOOSING  A  CAREER,  by  G.  A.  DK  CAILLAVET.  Written  by 
one  of  the  authors  of  "Love  Watches."  A  farce  of  mistaken 
identity,  full  of  humorous  situations  and  bright  lines.  PRICE  & 

CENTS. 

FRENCH  WITHOUT  A  MASTER,  by  TRISTAN  BERNARD.  A 
clever  farce  by  one  of  the  most  successful  of  French  dramatist* 
It  is  concerned  with  the  difficulties  of  a  bogus-interpreter  wh* 
does  not  know  a  word  of  French.  PRICE  25  CENTS. 

PATER  NOSTER,  a  poetic  play  in  one  act,  by  FBANCOIS 
COFFEE.  A  pathetic  incident  of  the  time  of  the  Paris  Commune, 
In  1871.  PBICE  25  CENTS. 

THE  ROMANCERS,  a  comedy  in  three  acts,  by  EDMOND  Ros* 
TAND.  New  translation  of  this  celebrated  and  charming  little 
romantic  play  by  the  famous  author  of  "Cyrano  de  Bergerac  "  and 
"  Chantecler."  PRICE  25  CENTS. 

THE  MERCHANT  GENTLEMAN,  (Le  Bourgeois  Gentil- 
homme),  by  MOLIERE.  New  translation  of  one  of  Moliere's  comic 
masterpieces,  a  play  which  is  peculiarly  well  adapted  to  amateui 
production.  PRICE  50  CENTS. 


THIS  BOOK  IS  DUE  ON  THE  LAST  DATE 
STAMPED  BELOW 


AN  INITIAL  PINE  OF  25  CENTS 

WILL  BE  ASSESSED  FOR  FAILURE  TO  RETURN 
THIS  BOOK  ON  THE  DATE  DUE.  THE  PENALTY 
WILL  INCREASE  TO  SO  CENTS  ON  THE  FOURTH 
DAY  AND  TO  $1.OO  ON  THE  SEVENTH  DAY 
OVERDUE. 


JUN     4   1938 


REC'D  LD 


LD  21-95wi-7,'37 


Caylord  Bros,  j 

Makers 
Syracuse.  N.  Y. 

PAT.  JAN.  21.  1908 


YB  74486 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 


I  • 


